Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary
1608 Fifth Avenue, Sterling, IL 61081
Data: Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor) approved list (April 2026); SIU Carbondale INACE 2025 annual cluster scores
- First-time pass rate
- 98.51%67 testers · 2025
- Vs state average
- +5.3points vs 93.24%
- Illinois rank
- #93of 234 programs (top 40%)
- Since 2024
- +3.5points vs 95% (60 testers)
How Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary graduates do on the CNA exam
98.51% of 67 first-time test-takers from Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary passed the written CNA exam in 2025. That is 5.3 points above the Illinois average of 93.24% (all 301 listed programs with results, weighted by testers). It puts the program #93 of 234 Illinois programs with 10 or more testers (top 40%).
In 2024, 95% of 60 first-time testers passed, so the rate rose 3.5 points year over year.
With 67 testers, one more or one fewer passing student moves the rate by about 1.5 points. Illinois reports the written (knowledge) exam only; the skills test isn't included in this figure.
How Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary stacks up
- Half of the 234 ranked Illinois programs had a first-time pass rate of at least 96.5% in 2025. At 98.51%, Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary is in the second quarter.
- 175 of the 234 reached 90% or higher.
- It had 67 first-time testers; the middle ranked program had 36, so this is one of the larger programs. Larger groups give a steadier rate.
- 3 other ranked programs are within 25 miles; none had a higher first-time pass rate in 2025.
Ranked programs are those with 10 or more first-time testers in the SIU Carbondale INACE 2025 annual cluster scores. Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres.
Program details
| Approval | Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor), program 0028 |
| Status | Approved (list dated April 2026) |
| Level | CNA I |
| Format | In person |
| Address | 1608 Fifth Avenue, Sterling, IL 61081 Whiteside County |
| CNA median pay, Illinois | $45,960 a year ($22.10/hour, BLS) |
Call the program to confirm the next start date, schedule and total cost; the state lists don't publish prices.
Other approved CNA programs near Sterling
| Program | City | Distance | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGH Medical Center | Sterling | same ZIP | — |
| Castor Health Institute | Sterling | same ZIP | 89.2% |
| Castor Health Institute-Hybrid | Sterling | same ZIP | — |
| Castor Health Institute-Stephenson | Sterling | same ZIP | — |
| Sauk Valley C.C.--Hybrid | Dixon | 14 mi | 95.1% |
| Sauk Valley Comm. Coll. - Secondary | Dixon | 14 mi | 80.0% |
Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres. "—" means fewer than 10 testers or no published rate.
FAQ
What is Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary's CNA exam pass rate?
98.51% of 67 first-time test-takers from Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary passed the written CNA exam in 2025. That is 5.3 points above the Illinois average of 93.24% (all 301 listed programs with results, weighted by testers), and #93 of 234 Illinois programs with 10 or more testers.
Is Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary a state-approved CNA program?
Yes. It is on the official list of approved nurse aide training programs (Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor), April 2026) as program 0028. Finishing an approved program makes you eligible for the Illinois CNA exam.
Is Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary's pass rate going up or down?
Up: 98.51% of 67 first-time testers passed in 2025, against 95% of 60 in 2024 (+3.5 points).
How many hours of training does Illinois require?
120 hours: 62 theory, 18 skills lab, 40 clinical, with at least 12 hours on Alzheimer's and dementia care (77 Ill. Adm. Code 395.150). The exam is run by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (INACE).
How does Whiteside Area Career Center - Secondary compare with CNA programs nearby?
3 other ranked programs are within 25 miles; none had a higher first-time pass rate in 2025.
What other approved CNA programs are near Sterling?
The closest are CGH Medical Center in Sterling (about 1 mi), Castor Health Institute in Sterling (about 1 mi, 89% pass rate), Castor Health Institute-Hybrid in Sterling (about 1 mi). Distances are between ZIP code centres.